The P-6E, a first-line pursuit aircraft of the early 1930s, was the last of the fighter biplanes built in quantity for the Army Air Corps. The P-6 series of aircraft had 13 distinct sub-types of 8 different models, A-H, (although the C model conversion was cancelled before completion). The U.S. Army Air Corps placed an order for 18 P-6s in 1929. The P-6 was another modification of the basic P-1; in this case the P-1B.

Originally designated the Y1P-22, it was later redesignated the P-6E because of the similarity to the other P-6 series airplanes. The P-6E was never used in combat, but it is perhaps the best-known of all the "between wars" Army pursuit aircraft. Despite its excellent performance, only 46 P-6E's were ordered because of the shortage of funds for the Air Corps during the austere days of the depression.

This one sort of surprised me when I saw them on a dealer's table at the US nationals. I took a look at it and knew that it had to be in my collection. Prior to this, the only model in this scale of this airplane was the quite old, but still very accurate Monogram kit. Its only downside was the lack of any interior and some minor simplification of details. This has been taken care of with this kit from Olimp.

Molded in a grey plastic, there are two large and one small sprue. The parts have some a bit of flash on some of them, but it is minor. The fabric representation is quite good and not the 'hills and valleys' that one often sees on these types of kits. I also found a slightly sunken in area on the upper surface of the upper wing that will be difficult to fix. More than likely I'll leave it as it is as it may 'disappear' under a coat of paint. There is a large ejector mark in the center of the seat that will be difficult to remove unless one is good with a motor tool or small chisels.

What this kit has that the Monogram lacks are options. Not many on an airplane of this era, but they are nice to have. One is the ability to have either full wheel spats or the ones with open sides. There is also a long range fuel tank that can be added.

Instructions are well done and provide color references with Humbrol, ModelMaster and Revell paints. A full rigging diagram is also provided. Markings are for two aircraft. One is the well known 17 Pursuit Squadron markings from 1933 as shown on the box art. This has an OD fuselage and Orange/Yellow wings. The other is from Wright Field circa 1937 with a blue fuselage. Interestingly, this latter color is not given in the paint guide. Nor are the overall colors shown in the markings diagrams. Overall color is determined by looking on the side of the box. The decals are very well done, though the reds seem a bit subdued to my eyes and the wing bands a bit wide (but these can be easily trimmed down if need be). The sheet provides all the difficult markings for the 17th PS aircraft, so no intensive masking is required.